It's Always Darkest Before the Dawn

A/N:  Quick little addition to the story.  Feelin’ WAFFy tonight!

            Harry Potter had finally finished up his work and was heading back to his apartment in the professor’s tower.  He was looking forward to seeing Hermione and their new baby, Lily.  When he got there, he found the living room empty.  He went to the nursery and found no one there as well.

            Harry began to worry.  Despite the fact that he had defeated Voldemort a week before, his instincts still told him to be on alert.

            Finally, he went to the bedroom that he shared with Hermione.  What he saw melted his heart.  There was Hermione, sitting against the headboard of the bed while fast asleep, holding their daughter.  Baby Lily was reaching up to play with some stray pieces of Hermione’s hair.

            “Accio camera,” he whispered.  The camera flew to him and he took a picture of the touching scene.

            The flash woke Hermione.  “Harry?  When did you get home?” she asked.

            “A few minutes ago,” he replied.

            “How was work?” she said, motioning for Harry to take the baby.

            “Eh.  The usual.  Plenty of papers saying the exact same thing about Patronuses.”

            “Yeah, but at the end of this year, you can give all that up.  Then you’ll have about 10 times the responsibilities.”

            “Thanks.  You make it sound so fun!” Harry joked as he rocked the baby.

            “Oh you’ll love it and you know it,” Hermione said, standing and stretching.

            “Yeah.  I think we’re both ready for next year’s change,” he replied in a singsong voice to get the baby to sleep.

            Hermione couldn’t answer.  She was too lost in the scene before her.  She always knew that Harry would make an amazing father, but now she had proof.

            “So how was your night?” Harry asked.

            “Fine.  She was perfect tonight.”

            “Like her mummy.”

            “More like her daddy.  Sirius told me what a perfect baby you were.”

            Harry only smiled.

            “I was telling her all about her daddy and all of her grandparents and everyone who loves her.”

            “Well there’s lots of those.  Oh and look at that big yawn!” Harry said as little Lily fell asleep in his arms.

            “Ok, let’s put pumpkin to bed and then you can tell me all about your plans for Hogwarts.”

            “Better idea … let’s put pumpkin to bed and then I tell you about my plans for the rest of the night,” he said as seductively as possible.

            “Ooh, Mr. Potter.  I like your ideas!”

            “I know you do,” Harry said with one of his trademark grins.

            Hermione smiled.  “I’ll put Lily to bed,” she said, lifting their daughter from Harry’s arms.

            “Ok, I’ll meet you in the usual place,” he whispered, taking off towards the bedroom.

            Hermione looked down at the sleeping baby.  “You know, Lily, you are one lucky little girl.  You might actually get to grow up with your daddy.”

            Once Lily was in her crib and the baby monitors were on, Hermione headed to the bedroom she shared with Harry.  When she opened the door, she was amazed to find candles and rose petals everywhere.  Her husband was never lax in the romance department.

            “Harry!  It’s beautiful!”

            “No, Hermione, you’re the beautiful one in here,” Harry said from the bed.

            Hermione could tell that Harry was probably planning this all day.  ‘Patronuses, indeed!’ she thought.

            “Well, are you going to join me in this bed?  Or are you going to admire the scenery all night?” he asked.

            “Well, the room looks wonderful! So, given the option …” Hermione began.

            “Mione!  Pretty please!” he begged.

            “Ok.  Since you asked nicely,” she said as she climbed into his arms and a beautiful night of lovemaking.